Amazing what a standard 35mm can breathe into a capture! It is trully Canon's best wide angle. The light gathering ability of this lens makes shots possible that would not be with a f/2.8. Having a demanding camera like the 5D, this lens really shines and never lets down. It also makes for a great standard crop on my 1DmkII. The bokeh is creamy, much like the 135L/2 and 85L/1.2. The close focusing also adds an interesting FF view with wide angle, foreground dominant shots. Expensive? Yes, but worth it if you need a high quality 35mm that is usable at f/1.4 and gets better from f/1.6 on.

After owning a very impressive 17-40L f/4, I was very hesitant in selling it and dropping more money for one more stop. After purchasing the 16-35mm f/2.8, I have not looked back. It's amazing what the lens is capable of shooting on a 1DmkII and a 20D, even wide open. Having that extra stop in certain situations (ie: event photography and weddings) is worth every penny. I highly recommend this lens for anyone who is a working pro. If it's landscape and photography for fun, stick to the 17-40L f/4.